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It’s been over a year since I bought my Focus and looking at the way the car has behaved and the knowledge I gathered about the car, I thought of starting a thread for the benefit of current and future Ford Focus users (if any are around in Autolanka) to share general information about the car. I hope to keep this thread alive by adding content from time to time. Any useful contributions are welcome, but I hope OT will be avoided (or deleted by Mods). Ford Focus in Sri Lanka and Europe According to Wikipedia, Focus was introduced by Ford of Europe, back in 1998 as a replacement for its longstanding model, Escort. By 2012, Focus had undergone, two model changes and it’s presently at its third generation (known as MkIII). The first model to be officially introduced to Sri Lanka, was the facelift version of the second generation (known as Mk 2.5). There are few second-hand imported (reconditioned) Mk 1 and 2 Focuses (of Foci, if you wish to be pedantic) running around in Sri Lankan streets. They were sourced either from UK or Singapore. Focus has been the best selling model in England for a few years. It has been used as police cars, taxis and as personal transport over there. The Mk 2.5 Focus (referred to as 2011 Focus from hereon), was offered in either manual or auto-transmission with varying trim levels, with the top of the range version being offered with factory-fitted 17” alloy wheels, leather seats, cruise control, dual-mode climate control AC and an electric sunroof. Thanks to the ridiculous tax system in Sri Lanka, only one engine-option was offered, which was the 1.6ltr Duratec Petrol engine. The 2011 Focus was sourced from the plant in Valencia, Spain. Around 50 cars were brought to Sri Lanka in 2011. Only two body styles (sedan and hatchback) was offered. Mk III (referred to as 2012 Focus), was launched in Sri Lanka in 2012 with three body styles (sedan, hatchback and crossover SUV) was offered with the option of petrol and diesel engines. The petrol engine offered, was the same as its predecessor. Most significant change in this model was the difference in body styling. The highest trim level included a Sony music system, daytime driving lights as well as all the options offered in its predecessor. 2012 Focus was sourced from Ford’s Saarlouis plant in Germany. Review of 2011 Focus – The Good and the Bad (I posted this information in an earlier thread) The Good:
The 2011 Focus was really value for money at that time. However, things appear to have changed now. The top of the range version was 5.2 Million at a time when reconditioned Allions were sold for around 5.8. However, the 2012 Focus (as of October 2012) starts at 7.6 Million and goes on to 9.4 Million.Handling and safety-wise, the Focus seems to be far superior than most of the Japanese cars seen on the road.Focus, being Ford Europe’s most popular car, is customized to suit various conditions, including the ‘extreme conditions’ found in Sri Lanka. It’s got very good ground clearance (Usually comes with 16 or 17 inch wheels and stands much taller than many of the cars in the market), Not very complicated electronics, Mechanical power steering etc.Leather interior appears to be more durable than other carsWarranty is given for 3 years/40000kmThe Bad:
1.6Ltr engine is underpowered. It's sluggish on pick-up.
Suspension is a bit stiff (At first, I thought this is because of the cars supplied for Sri Lanka being made for extreme conditions, but The Don says it's the same with European market cars)
The one with leather seats are a bit uncomfortable than the fabric ones
Should only run on 95-Octane
Duratec engine is noisy. Sounds like a diesel car.
Power steering is stiffer than a Japanese car.
'Resale value' cannot be expected
Known Issues:
The 2012 Focus is known to have issues with the fuel pump/fuel rail because of the substandard petrol in Sri Lanka. The 2011 Focus may also face the same issue (I’m preparing myself, in case if this problem happens)The agents are a big issue. They seem to get the basic things wrong because they are so used to maintaining cheap Daihatsus. Also they give dumb advices like asking you to pump Octane 90, when all the literature clearly mentions that 95 should be pumped. If all else fails, I’m planning do at least the basic maintenance work myself.
With time, washer jet seals can leak water into the spark plug cover, causing engine misfires
Stock brake pads are of poor quality.Service Information for 2011 Focus
Type of Engine oil used: 10W-30 (any decent brand is acceptable really. Earlier, the agent used Toyota oil but they switched to Castrol later. Looks like Softlogic is running the agency for Castrol as well. About 4 liters of oil, are required. Ford recommended engine oil is Motorcraft. That's just because Ford owns Motorcraft.Type of oil filter: Model code is 90915-YZZD2, which is the same filter used in Toyota 141s.Currently the cost of a full service at the agent stands at about Rs. 5000, if the air filter is not changed.Where to get spares: The current agent (Softlogic) stocks necessary spares and they are not as expensive as they are thought to be. Although the cars are sourced from Europe, most of the spares are sourced from Thailand/Phillipines. Otherwise, eBay.co.uk has to be the most economical source for spares.The All-Important Fuel Economy figures: If you drive the car the way a Euro should be driven, you ought to get about 9 to the litre in mixed traffic. However, I am also aware that some guy was complaining he only got 6 to the litre.